Connecticut High School Valedictorians 2013

Photo Courtesy of Matt Howard

It's impossible to look at Matt Howard's resume and narrow down the one subject he's most interested it. He enjoys nature and hiking as an Eagle Scout and founder of his school's outdoors club. He excels in graphic design and reporting as co-editor-in-chief of the high school yearbook. He umpires for Avon's Little League, does web development for a California start-up company and he's passionate about choral singing. And he still has time for a part-time job at Larsen Ace Hardware. As the Avon High School valedictorian heads to the University of Pennsylvania this fall to study engineering, he plans to continue every one of those interests through different student organizations. In high school, Howard was able to take his interest in nature and the outdoors to form a club promoting outdoor activity. The club publicized the area's trails and forests, and improved them through community service project. For the yearbook, he produced a 120-page book and two DVD's worth of interviews, photos and footage of athletes and different school events, such as prom and pep rally. He supervised the filming and editing, as well as the graphic design. Howard is a Connecticut all-state singer, as well as a member of the Connecticut Children's Choir based out of The University of Hartford's Hartt School. "I have different interests and skill sets, but I try to use them all toward different applications," he said. He looks forward to studying in Philadelphia, which he said is a diverse city. "I want to take a more active role in the world around me," he said. "I'm excited for new opportunities, and want to go out and see more of the world than what I've been able to see in central Connecticut." --Marwa Eltagouri

It's impossible to look at Matt Howard's resume and narrow down the one subject he's most interested it. He enjoys nature and hiking as an Eagle Scout and founder of his school's outdoors club. He excels in graphic design and reporting as co-editor-in-chief of the high school yearbook. He umpires for Avon's Little League, does web development for a California start-up company and he's passionate about choral singing. And he still has time for a part-time job at Larsen Ace Hardware. As the Avon High School valedictorian heads to the University of Pennsylvania this fall to study engineering, he plans to continue every one of those interests through different student organizations. In high school, Howard was able to take his interest in nature and the outdoors to form a club promoting outdoor activity. The club publicized the area's trails and forests, and improved them through community service project. For the yearbook, he produced a 120-page book and two DVD's worth of interviews, photos and footage of athletes and different school events, such as prom and pep rally. He supervised the filming and editing, as well as the graphic design. Howard is a Connecticut all-state singer, as well as a member of the Connecticut Children's Choir based out of The University of Hartford's Hartt School. "I have different interests and skill sets, but I try to use them all toward different applications," he said. He looks forward to studying in Philadelphia, which he said is a diverse city. "I want to take a more active role in the world around me," he said. "I'm excited for new opportunities, and want to go out and see more of the world than what I've been able to see in central Connecticut." --Marwa Eltagouri (Photo Courtesy of Matt Howard)

Kevin Pirruccio, 18, valedictorian at Berlin High School, describes himself as a "jack-of-all-trades." "I didn't want to limit my experiences in high school to just academic or just social. I just made sure that everything I did, I did with a lot of focus and a lot of passion," he said. The two-year captain of Berlin's varsity wrestling team is also heavily involved in community service clubs, and is an accomplished jazz trumpet player. Pirruccio founded his school's chapter of Habitat for Humanity and served as president for three years. He also helped organize the building of homes in Connecticut and Tennessee. "It was a very impactful experience, because I think living in Berlin, we don't always have the chance to see people in need of assistance. It really opened our eyes to what's out there," he said. In the fall, Pirruccio is headed to Yale University, which he's had his sights set on since sixth grade, when he was voted "Most Likely to Go to Yale." A pre-medical student, he hopes to major in economics or political science while simultaneously satisfying his pre-med requirements. A fluent Italian speaker, Pirruccio said he is looking forward to relaxing with his extended family in Italy for a few weeks this summer before starting the next chapter of his life. --Chloe Miller

Kevin Pirruccio, 18, valedictorian at Berlin High School, describes himself as a "jack-of-all-trades." "I didn't want to limit my experiences in high school to just academic or just social. I just made sure that everything I did, I did with a lot of focus and a lot of passion," he said. The two-year captain of Berlin's varsity wrestling team is also heavily involved in community service clubs, and is an accomplished jazz trumpet player. Pirruccio founded his school's chapter of Habitat for Humanity and served as president for three years. He also helped organize the building of homes in Connecticut and Tennessee. "It was a very impactful experience, because I think living in Berlin, we don't always have the chance to see people in need of assistance. It really opened our eyes to what's out there," he said. In the fall, Pirruccio is headed to Yale University, which he's had his sights set on since sixth grade, when he was voted "Most Likely to Go to Yale." A pre-medical student, he hopes to major in economics or political science while simultaneously satisfying his pre-med requirements. A fluent Italian speaker, Pirruccio said he is looking forward to relaxing with his extended family in Italy for a few weeks this summer before starting the next chapter of his life. --Chloe Miller (Photo Courtesy of Kevin Pirruccio)

Meet valedictorians and top-ranked graduates of the Class of 2013, who come from high schools in Greater Hartford. Hailing from towns, many of these students boast straight A's, have multiple achievement awards and served as their class valedictorians or leaders. Although their achievements might sound similar, each one has something that sets them apart